Young Auckland golf professional Robson Tarrant took out the 2022 Titleist FootJoy NZPGA Trainee Championship held in Hamilton this week.

Representing Golf Warehouse in Takapuna, Auckland, Tarrant was staring down the barrel of a runners-up medal teeing into the final three holes of the two-day tournament held at St Andrews Golf Club – with Taranaki pro’ Steven Heyes heading the leader board by three shots at that stage.

However, a trio of three-put finishes by Hayes on the closing holes saw the calm nerves of Tarrant prevail, and the Shore boy claimed the championship by one shot. The win guarantees Tarrant automatic entry to The Hills Invitational golf tournament in Queenstown early next year - the third highest-paying golf tournament in New Zealand, with a prize purse of $70,000.

Some 35 trainee golf professionals took part in the Titleist FootJoy NZPGA Trainee Championship. Hamilton’s St Andrews course was set up to play extremely tough to test the young golfing professionals. Tarrant finished the three-round tournament at one over the card.